If it's wet or overly gelled, moused,
sprayed or scrunched, it's not a good look, Gottsman says. And be
mindful of dandruff issues, Wells adds. "It's really distracting when
you're interviewing someone, and every time they move their head around,
there's a little puff cloud coming out from around their head," she
says.If you can't limit dandruff, she suggests camouflaging it by wearing a light suit.

"Your suit can be impeccable, but if
your shoes are unkempt, or the heels are covered in mud or chewed down,
it's a sign of a lack of attention to detail," Gottsman says. "And that
translates to your work habits." Size matters, too, so ladies, skip the
towering high heels to avoid face-planting during an interview or
wobbling like an uncoordinated baby giraffe. In fact, Wells suggests
sticking to heels under about 3 inches. Go easy on the bright colors and
busy patterns, she adds. Like 6-inch heels, they can "draw the eye
downward," she says. "You want them staring at your face — not your shoes." Now that they're staring at your face ...

"Makeup is a big factor," Gottsman
says. "Does that mean that if you don't wear makeup you're not capable
or brilliant? Absolutely not." Even so, she advises adding something
subtle, like a swipe of blush and tinted lip gloss. "It just shows you
took the time to present yourself one step above a Saturday, when you
can just hang out and wash the car," she says. If you skew the other
direction and typically wear heavy makeup, remember that you want the
interviewer focusing on your brilliant answers— not
your winged eyeliner or red lipstick. Strike a balance with Gottsman's
advice: "If you have to wonder, 'Is this too much?' then the answer is
'yes,' and you need to tone it down a few shades," she says "If you have
to ask, 'Is this not enough?' then you might want to add a little bit
of blush."

"It's a simple step to walk into the
interview with impeccable nails," Gottsman says. For men, that means
your nails are cut short, with no dirt underneath. For women, "a nice
polish will never work against you," she says. "That one little detail
says, "'OK, that means she took some time.'" As for what color polish,
Gottsman suggests something subtle, like a neutral hue. Avoid chipped or
multicolored nails, she says, as well as artwork, gems, glitter and
particularly dark or bright colors. Even if your navy manicure looks
fabulous, your interviewer should be wondering where you'll fit on the
org chart — not where you you get your nails done.

Think twice before donning your
oversized statement necklace, dangling earrings or stack of jangling
bangles. These pieces can be distracting, Wells says, so when in doubt,
stick with simple jewelry that matches the rest of your outfit.

No part of your outfit
should be "too" of anything, Gottsman says. Trousers shouldn't be too
short or long. Skirts and dresses shouldn't be too skimpy or tight. Suit
jackets and shirts shouldn't be too big or small. Again, the interview is about you and the potential employer, not the awkward tugging you have to do with your skirt.

Yes, it's exactly as noticeable
as you think it is. Even if you do everything else right, any kind of
visible stain will make you look disheveled. "It's difficult to focus on
anything else once you notice an obvious spot on someone's shirt,"
Gottsman says. Skip the ketchup with your lunch before the interview,
and overall, be careful. A few tips below will help you appear squeaky
clean, too.

Indulge
in a little fashion show, and you may save yourself from the faux pas
above. ("Oh, that's right, I spilled tea on my pencil skirt last time I
wore it." Or, "Yikes, this suit used to fit much better before the
holidays." Or, "Huh, these pants drag on the floor when I wear them with
these shoes.") Better to make these happy little discoveries a week in
advance rather than the morning of the interview, so you have time to
pivot. "If you give yourself a week, then you're not rushed," Gottsman
says.

Must-haves
for your car, purse or briefcase include a wrinkle-releasing spray, a
to-go spot remover and a tiny sewing kit and safety pin if — oh, no — the
hem of your pants or skirt falls out, Gottsman says. Also in the kit: a
travel-sized bottle of mouthwash and, for the ladies, a tube of lip
gloss.

TIP 3: Check yourself out as soon as you arrive at the interview space.

When
you get to the office for your interview, Wells advises finding a
restroom for one more look in the mirror. Tame hair that may have been
warped by the elements, check your teeth for food and lipstick and do
whatever else you need to do to "make sure everything is in place," she
says.